Tilaï (“The Law”), the Grand Prix-winning film from 1990, has been selected for a new 4K restoration at Cannes Classics 2026, honoring and preserving Africa’s rich cinematic heritage for future generations.
Tilaï is a Burkinabé drama written, directed, and co-produced by Idrissa Ouédraogo. Set in an African village, the film explores the fragile boundaries between devotion, betrayal, and the uncompromising laws of honor. After two years away, Saga returns home to discover that his fiancée, Nogma, has become his father’s second wife. While tradition demands his obedience, Saga refuses to surrender his love for Nogma, even as it places him in direct conflict with his family and the village’s rigid customs.
Tilaï brings together a remarkable ensemble, led by Rasmane Ouedraogo as Saga, Ina Cissé as Nogma, and Roukietou Barry as Kuilga. They are joined by Assane Ouedraogo as Kougri, Sibidou Sidibe as Poko, and Moumouni Ouedraogo as Tenga, with Mariam Barry portraying Bore and Seydou Ouédraogo as Nomenaba. The cast further expands with Mariam Ouedraogo as Koudpoko, Daouda Porgo as Porgo, Kogre Warma as Maiga, Mamadou Ganame as Ganame, and Azeta Porgo as Azeta, together weaving a vivid portrait of village life and its complex human ties.
Grand Prix winner Idrissa Ouédraogo, affectionately known as “The Maestro,” was a legendary Burkinabé director widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential filmmakers. He earned international acclaim for celebrated films such as Yaaba, Tilaï (The Law), and Samba Traoré. His final feature, Kato Kato, follows a teacher struggling to balance the demands of the classroom with family life, using his personal battles and triumphs to reflect the realities of contemporary Burkina Faso.
